Subjection to Christ in All His Ordinances 2, Text (2 of 3)

Subjection to Christ in All His Ordinances 2 · Text (2 of 3)

p. 30Know it, the Kingdome of God is come to thy soul; and know it, thou hast Jesus Christ at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for thee; therfore, go home and blesse the Lord, and wonder at his grace, that hath translated thee from the Kingdome of darknesse, to the Kingdome of his dear Son: If the Lord hath let thee finde the beginning of these things in truth, go home, and blesse the Lord for it.

22. Try when the externall Kingdome of Christ in his Church is cast off, for we told you, this was Christs kingdome. 'Tis called the Kingdome of Heaven, Matth. 25. 1. And 'tis it which the Lord gives up at the last day to God the Father: and hence, Mat. 8. 12. the members thereof are The Children of the Kingdome; and hence we read of the rulers and governours of it; and the keys, not only of doctrine; but of power and jurisdiction committed by Christ Jesus to it, punctually exprest in Scripture.

Now we know, in the Church there is a three-fold power of Christ in Government: 1. The supreme Monarchicall absolute power of Christ, in and by his Ordinances. 2. There is some derivative power of the Church from Christ joyntly together. 3. There is a Ministeriall power of the officers of the Church it self. Hence the Kingdome of Christ is overthrown when these three are, when this three-fold cord is broken by the sons of men; and if whole America cast off these, or any of these; then they fall to bondage; and if particular persons in Churches do, the Lord will do the like to them much more: 1 Kings 9. 4, 5. When Solomon had been praying much, the Lord tells him; If he would walk before him as David p. 31his father had done, to keep his statutes and obey his commandments; then he would be a God, making good his promise; but if not, then the Lord would cast off him and that place. So Zach. 14. 17. And it shall be, that who so will not come up of all the families of the Earth, to worship the King the Lord of Hosts; even upon them shall be no rain. The Lord is quick in his judgements, and will spare none.

1. There is a supreme power of Jesus Christ in his Church and Ordinances thereof, Isa. 9. 6. The Government is on his shoulders; it is true this power is on others also, but he is the main, Heb. 3. Moses was only a servant in his House, Christ as a Son. The guidance of all things in the Church doth lye chiefly on him, or else it would never be carried along. Christ is a Son, and that in his own House; into whose hands the supreme power of guiding, and ordering all things in the Church of God is put; the experience of Gods Saints and People doth find another power, which shewes that the Lord Jesus hath, and doth exercise a mighty power in the ordinances of his Worship; the supreme and kingly power which he exerciseth in the hearts of his people.

Now cast off this kingly power, the Lord himself is cast off; I speak not immediately as in the internall Kingdom, but mediately. And for this, the Lord will bring into bondage, Luk. 19. 17. Those mine enemies, saith Christ: which would not that I should reign over them; bring them hither, that I may slay them; which is meant of the Lords external administration by his servants.

Quest. Quest.When is this done?

Answ. 1.Answ. 1. When men impenitently break Covenant made with the Lord. Especially in his Ordinances of cleaving and submitting to him therein, and remain so with impenitency.

This is the main and first Original of all the rest. Now it is manifest, the power of Christ Jesus, the supreme power of Christ is cast off; for a man do's professe by this, that not the will of Christ, but his own will shall rule him; Christ shall not be Lord, but as they said, Ier. 2. 31. We are Lords, we will come no more at thee. When the League and Covenant between Prince and People is broke, then he is cast off from being King; this is certain, the Lord never did receive any people to himself from the beginning of the world to this day, but he hath done it by some Covenant: Nor never any people took the p. 32Lord to be their God, but by some Covenant, they bound themselves to the Lord. Whereby they were either made his people, or continued to be his people, and he their God; but I cannot now stand to clear this. Now look, as when the Lord breaks his Covenant, he casts them off from being his people; (though this he never doth to the Elect) So when people break Covenant with him, they cast him off as much as in them lies, from being their God; they do as much as in them lyes, make the Lord to be no God. You shall see therefore, Hosea 10. 3. They say, we have no King; because we feared not the Lord. It is the speech of Conscience, and that at a sad time, wherein they did not fear the Lord; They have spoken words, swearing falsly, and breaking the Covenant. In their time of Covenanting with the Lord, there seemed to be much sorrow and humiliation; yet in these very Covenants, Hemlock did spring up, and hence captivity came. Many times the Covenants that are made, there is such outward seeming reality, that not only men, but the Lord speaking after the manner of men, He thinks certainly these Promises, these Covenants will never be broke; yet they are broken, Isa. 65. 8, 9, 10. I said, surely, saith the Lord; This is a people that will not lie. Such profession, and such acknowledgements, &c. so it is said; In all their afflictions, he was afflicted, and the Angel of his presence did redeem them: But afterward, they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: They cast off the Government of the Lord, they would not be under the bonds of the Lord, and so he was turned to be their enemy; this is that which brings captivity and bondage, Ierm. 2. 14, 15, &c. Is Israel a servant saith the Lord? ye shall see the reason why he was so; I have broken their iron yoke, saith the Lord, and I have burst thy bonds, and I have planted thee a nohle Vine; yet hast thou degenerated: and this is that which doth make them vassals or slaves. And in truth you never see Churches laid desolate; but when that time comes, men shall see, and shall professe it. When other Nations shall ask; Why hath the the Lord dealt thus with his people? The answer shall be clear; They have broken the Covenant of the Lord. When many miseries come upon particular persons, what is the cause of it? then remember the Covenant thou hast broken with the Lord. Isa. 24. 5, 6. They have transgressed the …aw, speaking of the whole earth; And they have changed their p. 33Ordinances, and broken the everlasting Covenant. A people that might have had everlasting mercy, they would not submit to the Lord, they have broken this everlasting Covenant of the Lord: Now what followes? The earth is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; and hence heavy things that are there written, shal befall the whole world; It is a sin that defiles the earth men tread on, and the houses men inhabite in, for it is a sin against most light: They which make Covenants have a great deal of light, and also most will. And that do's aggravate a sin; when the whole heart, as it were, do's give up it self to a lust, and breaks hereby all bonds. And it is a sin that men might avoid, if they would be watchfull against: For it is a sinfull thing to make a Covenant of impossible things, therefore it lyes heavy on the co…science of men afterwa…ds; I might have been better, & might have walked better; Nay, it is a …n that do's destroy the Law of the Lord: this sin it do's destroy the very will of Christ. Had'st thou never been bound in Covenant; hadst thou laid by this Covenant, the wil of God had been kept whole. As cords not used, are kept whole; but when broke, are utterly spoiled. When a man do's bind himself by a Covenant to the Lord, and then break it; he do's as much as in him lyes, to destroy the Lord from being King.

'Tis true, the Saints and people of God may be said in some case to break Covenant, but yet they never impenitently break Covenant with the Lord; they may break Covenant with the Lord very often▪ but yet it is with them as those in Iudges …. 1, 4. When the Angel of the Lord came to them, and they were under grievous sad bondage; saith he to them from the Lord: I have brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and I have broke your bonds; and I have said, I would never break Covenant with you: & I said, you should make no League with the Canaanites, but ye have not obeyed my voyce; why have ye done this? And all the people heard this; and it is said, All the people wept. Doubtlesse some were sincere, though happily many were full of hypocrisie; and so the sincere heart laments it, and renewes his Covenant. The poor soul hath nothing to say many times, though the Lord should bring never so much misery on it; yet the soul stands weeping before the Lord, that it hath broke the Covenant of the Lord, and made void the Covenant of the Lord; yet the Saints they never break it wholly, they never depart wholly from the Lord.

p. 34Now when a people shall impenitently break Covenant, as hath been said: that men can study arguments, how to nullifie Church covenant; nay, worse when in Covenant, then ever before; and the businesse is, they are loath to be in bonds; when men shall grudge the truth of the Lord, others if their judgements be not set against it; yet notwithstanding, in deed and practice, they live as if they had never been in Covenant. Once they were a pleasant plant; but now they are degenerated, as the Lord doth there complain. Beloved, when it is thus, the League between the Prince of peace, and the Church is broke; they do as much as in them lies, seek to cast off the Lord from ruling over them.

22. When there be additions made to the Ordinances of Christ, by humane ordinances and inventions of men; let any set up new ordinances, new inventions of men, they set up new gods; and they do as Subjects set up new Kings, which is indeed to pull down him that was, and so they do to Jesus Christ; they do deny the supreme headship of Christ, and his authority over them; though it may seem a small thing, yet thus it is: And hence ye shall observe Ieroboams calves, though they worshipped the same God which was at Ierusalem, varying only in circumstance; yet the Lord professeth, that they had set up new Gods, and so indeed did pull down the true God and his government from over them, and this brought bondage. And hence, Col. 2. 18, 16. Let no man heguile you of your reward with a voluntary humility, saith the Apostle, and worshipping of Angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, &c,

Whatsoever pretence be upon the inventions of men, take heed of that; if it be the inventions of men, in Vers. 19. and not holding the head; the very headship of Christ is denied, and the ground is this; To say that Christ is is not a sufficient means of salvation, of saving his people, and ruling his people; it is to deny the headship of Christ: and likewise to say, that Christ hath not appointed for his people sufficient means for that end; is to say, that Christ is not a sufficient means to rule his people; and he that shall say, Jesus Christ is not a sufficient means, he do's deny the headship of Christ. Now to set up any inventions of men in the worship of God, to be a means to carry the heart to God, is to say, that Jesus Christ hath not appointed sufficient means for that end; and therefore p. 35he is not a sufficient means of guiding, and saving, and ruling his people. Nay, this I will adde; let there be any invention added to the worship of God, that's meerly the will of man; nothing else, but only this I would have ye do it; they are such things as do neither make a man better nor worse, but only use them, and ye are commanded to use them, and nothing but the will of man: This is to set up a new Christ, and to pull down the power of Christ Jesus, to submit herein to the authority of man, meerly because of the will of man, that there is nothing seen but his will: There is (it may be) neither good nor hurt in it; It is to make that man a God and Christ; it is peculiar to Christ to do it, and this do's pull down the Lord Jesus Christ from his throne; when there is adding to the worship of the Lord. I need not I suppose speak any thing this way; Only remember to be watchfull against this; when the Lord doth send tentations this way into Churches, or into any place; be watchfull against new inventions of men to be added or made, they are very sinfull; and if ye ask me when we shall look for such times; I need not go far from my Text.

It is said, that Rehoboam and all the people walked in the worship of the Lord three years; but in one year, Rehoboam and all the people fell off from the worship of the Lord. O therefore take heed of this, when the tentation comes: 1. When the Lord bows the hearts of those in authority, men of eminency to fall this way, then multitudes follow; as, vers. 1. Rehoboam sinned and Israel with him. 2. When persecution ariseth for the truth, Gal. 5. 12. They must be circumcised to avoid persecution, 3. When mens hearts are surfetted with the Ordinances of God, and weary of them; when the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ, men find no benefit by them, the heart of man will then be making out after some thing of its own; then we must look for Apostles, Prophets, and Evangelists, and this curiosity, and the other nicity; then a conceit and imaginary picture of a mans own, is more beautifull than all Gods Ordinances besides, and all Religion is placed there; it may be in extending too far any Ordinance it self, though it may seem little at first; yet when it is thus, then look for evil times.

3. When as a people seek to abolish and destroy any Ordinance of Christ, but especially if on this ground; p. 36either because of some outward evill they bring with them, in the fruition of them, or hope of some outward good they shall receive by casting them off, or because of no good they reap by the enjoyment of them: Whensoever ye see this, that they are cast off on this ground, then look for bondage; for it will come on whole Countreys in generall, and on particular persons: For Jesus Christ is in his Ordinances, and his Throne is not only in Heaven among the Angels; but, Isa. 9. 7, 8, 9. He sits on the throne of David, among his Church and People; and pull these down, you pull down Christs throne, the Prince of peace; when ye pull down his Ordinances. 1 Iohn 2. 19. there were many that did seem to be for Christ, and yet against Christ, this is one sign by which he notes them; They went out from us, for they were not of us: that it might be made manifest they were not of us. Now I say, when men shall pull down the Ordinances of Christ, and withdraw themselves from the communion of Saints; and when it is for one of these ends, in regard of some outward evill that the Ordinances do bring with them, or some outward good they shall get by casting them off; then certainly look for bondage. As a Prince that hath one near him, he may attempt change of things in State; but when he is set a work by a forein State, and is a pensioner to the Pope or Spaniard: Now he is reall to root out the Prince; and this provokes.

So here many times a Christian, he may in conscience speak against some of the wayes of the Lord, and this may be the condition of the Saints and people of God, and they may speak it in conscience; and this may be tolerated, when it is for want of light; nay, they may through stubb…rnnesse of spirit, cast off Ordinances; but when now it is for this reason, though he hath indeed his colours for it; you shall, saith Satan, have this gain, and this ease, and these conveniences; and what do you do with Ordinances? and now a man begins to find out arguments; and saith, Satan, If ye attend to the enjoyment of Ordinances, here be these miseries, therefore away with some of Gods Ordinances at least. Oh, brethren, when it is thus, that there is this secret pension from the world, that now had the Lord Jesus, the honours of the world attending on them, then they could make much of them; but because they come with poverty, therefore they p. 37can plot and speak against them, and in time come to cast off the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus; It is certain the Lord hath bondage for such soules, and you will certainly find this true one day. Mal. 3. 14, 15. The people, they say; What profit is it that we have served the Lord, and that we have walked mournfully before him? and hence, they forsook the Lord; Hence, Chap. …. 1. the Lord threatens, that He will burn them up, both root and branch. The Lord hath consuming fire for such one day.

The Ordinances of the Lord were too costly for you. Mark 12. 9. 8. The Lord hath his Vine-yard, he lets it out to husbandmen, and he sends for the fruit▪ and at last the Son bimself comes to call for fruit. Now say they▪ Here is the son, let us kill him. Why, what is the matter? out of gain, that is the businesse; That the inheritance may be ours. Here is this gain to be without them, and therefore to cast off Christ: What will the Lord do to these husband-men? he will take away his Vine-yard frrom them, &c.

It is the speech of Luth…r▪ Venter in omni religione potentissi…um Idolum: When the Belly is served, Christ must be destroyed. Men may have this quiet life without these Ordinances; and hence men bear a privy grudge against the Ordinances of the Lord, because the belly is not served. Look as it was with the …ews; they looked for a glorious King to come to them, and Christ c…me and though they were told of it before; when he came, he had nothing but his Cr…sse; and he tels them, If they will be his Disciples, they must take his Crosse. But now, because he came not with pomp, but only with his crosse, this is the great reason, why to this day the Je…es do set themselves against the Lord Jesus Chr…; the Crosse came with Christ, that's the cause of it: So when men shall look for great things from the Ordinances of Christ, and when they come to enjoy them, they meet with nothing else but Christ and his Cr…sse, and disappointments, and desertions; when they meet with this▪ then Christ is cast off, and they professe he is no King, and Cesar is our King: and if we take this man to be our King; the Romanes will ruine us.

I know it is a hard trial for a man to be put to such a strait; for the Lord to advance the price of his Ordinances at that high rate, that all must be parted with for the enjoyment of them. But yet notwithstanding, he is for ever unworthy to have the Lord Jesus to rule him, p. 38that shall therefore make him a King as they did, Iohn 6. He was their Cook, therefore they made him King. Therefore this I say, take heed of disputing against, or denying, or nullifying, not only outwardly, but in thy very heart secretly, any of Gods Ordinances: for that the Lord complains of his people, that their hearts went after their wickednesse. Oh take heed of doing thus against any one of Gods Ordinances, because straits do attend on them: It was the speech of David, Ps. 119. Thy law is pure, therefore thy servant loveth it. Suppose thou shouldest never get any good by any of Gods Ordinances; yet thy law is pure, the fault is in thy own heart; and certainly the Lord he will remember, as there he speaketh, Ierem. …. 2. I remember the love of thine espousals, when thou didst follow me in a land of barrennesse, in a land where there was no water. Thy life shall be precious to the Lord, that shall follow the Lord in all afflictions; yet thy heatt doth cleave to the Lord, and follow the Lord in all his Ordinances; therefore this is that I would say, there are many wants now in the countrey; But yet notwithstanding, let the people of God get neer to Christ; speak often one to another, and find out wayes and means to pay your debts, and lye down at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and be content if the Lord will have it so, to be nothing, be content thus; and though thou dost not find any benefit from the Ordinance of the Lord as yet, yet notwithstanding loath thy own heart, but love them; yet seek after the Lord, and look to the Lord in them. And this is certain, the Lord hath blessings for his people; not only in this life, but as he there speaketh to his Disciples, when they say to him, Lord, what shall we have? saith the Lord to them; You that have followed me, you shall sit on thrones. But take heed of this, if once ye come to slight Ordinances, and cast off Ordinances, because of these straits and wants, and so forth: And what are your Ordinances, &c? and a generation of men risen up (I think Christians should send forth their gronings to the Lord, that the terrour of the Lord may fall upon them) they deny all the Ordinances of the Lord, and the Spirit must teach us only. 'Tis true, the Spirit must do it, but will ye therefore take away the means? and hence, the very Scripture is made an Alphabet for children, and so they do destroy the Ordinances of the Lord. Beloved, if it be from this principle, take heed of it; for if it be, ye will certainly find bondage.

p. 394. When men do not thus pull down the Ordinances, 4the throne of Christ; but drive the Lord Jesus away out of his Ordinances, (though they have his Ordinances with them) by their secret defilings, pollutions, spiritual pollutions of the glorious Ordinances of Christ; this the Lord frequently complaineth of in Ierem. and Ezek. The very great reason why the Lord did leave his Temple, where their fathers did praise the Lord: they had polluted and defiled it, that was the reason of it: They had driven the Lord away from his throne, and this doth pull down the princely power of the Lord in his Churches. I know, there be many sins and defilements; and the sons of men have hidden wayes of polluting the Ordinances of the Lord, that a man shall sit undet all the Ordinances of the Lord; and as it is said of Mount Gilboah, not any dew fall upon him; never see good, when good comes; the Lord is not dear, that is the reason of it. Oh, thy secret defilements of the Ordinances of the Lord, have driven the Lord far from you. There are many, I shall only name three principally, that there may be a little heed taken of them.

First. When there is a secret contempt grown upon a 1mans spirit of the Ordinances of Christ, attended with a secret wearinesse of them: this doth now pollute the Ordinances of the Lord, and this doth drive the Lord from his Ordinances: Mal. 1. 7. Ye have offered polluted bread; wherein have we done it, say they? this was the cause of it; Ye say, that the Table of the Lord is contemptible; the meaning is, you do despise my Table and Ordinances, and so now do despise me too, and so ye do vilifie and contemne the Ordinances of the Lord: Therefore saith the Lord, in the conclusion of that Chapter, vers. 11. From the rising of the Sun, my name it shall be known. As if he should say, I am uot bound to you, I can have a people, among whom my name shall be great; For, saith the Lord, I am a great King. If one should have asked men in those dayes what good is in your sacrifices? what great glory can ye see in them? the Saints can see a great deal of glory in mean outsides: Now when this is wanting, the name of the Lord is polluted, and so the Lord driven from his Ordinances. Heb. 12. 15. Take heed, lest there be in any of you an evil root of bitternesse springing up, and many thereby be defiled. When men do live in secret lusts, or open pro…nenes…e; a man that hath a profane heart, such a heart as p. 40doth contemne the portion of mercy the Lord doth offer to him; who like Esau did sell his birth-right for a m…sse of pottage.

2Secondly, Unbrokennesse of heart in the enjoyment of Ordinances, when men live not in a daily sense of the extreme need they stand in of mercy, Isa. 66. 1. 2. Heaven is my throne, and the Earth is my foot-stool; Now observe what the Lord doth there speak, To him will I look that is poor in spirit & contrite; such a poor soul, saith the Lord, will I look to; and to these are opposed, such as have not such hearts, but do look only to the Ordinances of the Lord: Now, saith the Lord to such; He that offereth a lamb; is as if he cut off a dogs neck; and he that offereth incense, as he that blesseth an Idol. These were a people that did plead for the Temple of the Lord, and had the Ordinances of the Lord according to his command; but here was their wound, they were not broken under the Ordinances of the Lord: This you shall find, the Saints have many sins and wants under the Ordinances of the Lord: but little does the world know their gronings before the Lord, and the Lord hath mercy for such soules as are sensible of their need they stand in of the Ordinances of the Lord.

But now when men have found the Lord in an Ordinance subduing some particular sin: there are other sins remaining in their hearts, and they stand unremoveable in their hearts; and hence, are the strongest and dearest of all the rest: Now, I say, when men having these sins, and knowing these sins in their hearts and spirits; when as, because I cannot subdue these sins; and they have attended on the Lord in the use of meanes, and the Lord helps them not; and because, they hope to be saved at last for all these: Hence they come to a truce with their sin, and never go mourning to the Lord; nor say, the Lord hath begun to subdue some of these lusts: Now Lord, go on, but the soul is at truce with his s…nnes. Beloved, if there be any pollution of the Ordinances of the Lord, here it is; that men come with unbroken hearts to the Ordinances of the Lord; that never feel your need of them, & wounds and sores that are in your hearts, that men do stand with those very sins, that they think they cannot subdue; and because, they cannot ease themselves of them, therefore they give way to them. When p. 41men keep these sins with unsensible hearts of them, ye do resist the holy Ghost, ye feel not your need of the Lord; therefore ye keep your sins, and your woes you shall have for them.

Thirdly, Where there is a spirit of unbelief, that there 3is not a seeking to Christ Jesus, to wash away the pollutions of his heart and life, in his attending upon the Lord in his Ordinances. Tit. 1. 15. To the unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. Exod. 30. 29. It is said, Every thing that touched the Altar, was clean; and hence, without this, all is unclean: When a poor soul shall come to the Lords Ordinances, and prepare himself before he come; and in all, it hath many weaknesses, yet it doth leave it self with Jesus Christ; every thing that doth touch this Altar, is sanctified, and is not polluted. But now when men shall enjoy Ordinances, and make no great matter of sins in Ordinances; especially if secret: such is the venemous nature of sin, it doth defile the earth a man doth tread on: Now when men shall have these sins, and know them, and yet never leave themselves with Christ, and lay themselves on this blessed Altar by faith; they do pollute the Ordinances of the Lord,

Fourthly, When the soul doth not so openly, manifestly 4drive away the Lord; but when men shall …ome to the Ordinances, and never come to the Lord Jesus in them; now the Lord is cast off. A great Prince that comes to a mans house, though he be not driven out of doors; yet if not attended on, he accounts himself cast off. The Lord Jesus Christ is in his Ordinances, Ezek. 48. 35. The Lord is there; the Saints, they come to God in them and are carried to him by them: Therefore, 'tis said, Acts 10. 33, 34. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God, and Psal. 84. 7. Every one of them in Sion appeareth before God. Now the Saints and people of God, when they do thus come to the Lord, they find many difficulties to break through, a vally of Baca. Sometimes their heart is turned from the Lord, and sometimes God is turned from them: so that now, the Saints when they do come to the Lord in his Ordinances; They go through the vallie of Baca, that they may see God in Sion. But now, when men do never break through difficulties, but give way to a sluggish heart; when it is p. 42thus with a people, it is certain the Lord is now cast off; and ye do as good now as live without Christ in the world. Amos 5. 21. faith the Lord, I hate your new Moons, and Sabbaths; For these forty years ye never sacrificed to me, vers. 25. Did they not sacrifice those forty years to the Lord in the wildernesse? It was the very thing they came out of Egypt for, that they might sacrifice to the Lord: Yet saith the Lord, ye did not sacrifice to me; truly here was the thing, they did sacrifice, but to enjoy communion with a God, that they did not; the Lord he saw none of that, and this is the frame of many a man, ye never heard a Sermon; ye never broke through your difficulties to come to a God in Ordinances: therefore, in truth, though you had them, yet it is as if you never had them; because, ye never did enjoy the Lord in them.

Therefore, this is that I would say: Oh, Brethren, let the Saints, let it be the care of all the faithfull and people of God; the first thing that ye do, before ye come to hear a Sermon, or receive a Sacrament, or to any Christian communion, or other Ordinance of God: Before thou do'st come, indeavour it at least to bring thy soul to a God, to Christ, above all Ordinances, and break through the difficulties; heart is dead, and minde is blind, and God is gone; but yet break through difficulties, and wrestle with the Lord in Prayer, and then ye wil find the blessing of the Lord. The great reason why we enjoy not that mighty presence of the Lord in his Ordinances, it is this; Men come to Ordinances, and would enjoy Ordinances, but they never broke through difficulties, to come to a God: When men shall come to Ordinances only, (& blessed be God we have the temple of the Lord;) truly this wil do you no good in the world.

5The 5^th Degree of casting off the supreme power of Christ in his Ordinances; many times when the soul cannot come to Christ, the Lord comes to it: Now then the supreme power of Christ is cast off, when the soul is unwilling or carelesse, to receive the stroke of the Eternall power of the life of Jesus into his heart; but contents himself with some beginnings, some sips and tastes, and doth not lye under the stroke of the eternall Spirit of the life of Christ.

Look as it is with a company of Subjects, they are in some great Town, that stands it out against a Prince; If p. 43the Prince send to them, and they parlie with him, and they are thankfull for his gifts, and glad of his parly; but yet notwithstanding, they are unwilling to receive the Prince, with all his power to come into the Town; if they be unwilling to do that, and are loath to joyn sides against the other party, they cast him off from being King: So it is here, when men come to the Lord in Ordinances, the Lord he parlies with them, the Lord he sends promises, and they are marvellous precious things; and they have some taste of what the Lord do's send, and it is sweet to them; But now, because they have lusts in their hearts; the Lord saith, make warre against thy lust, and open the gates that I may come in: If so be, a man now out of secret love to his sin, he content himself with the promises of Christ; but the life of Christ, he cares not for that, he uses not all means that he may find that, the supreme power of the Lord Jesus is now cast off, and I know no difference between such a people and Capernaum; they did enjoy the Gospell of God, but now to entertain the Lord Jesus in his spirituall power, this they were loath to come to; therefore, saith the Lord, W… to thee Capernaum; the mighty work of Jesus Christ in their hearts, this they never cared for, Saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 10. 5. The weapons of our warfare, they are mighty through God. As poor things as you think the Ordinances of the Lord to be, they are mighty through the Lord: When Christians shall not be willing to receive this mighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ truly, now the Kingdome of Christ is cast off. Iohn 6. 49. Your fathers ate Manna in the Wildernesse, and are dead, that was outward Manna; but he that eateth me, shall live for ever.

In one word thus; this is certain, a man never gets good by any Ordinance, nor the Lord Jesus doth never attain his end in any Ordinance, till there be an everlasting power and life of Christ Jesus communicated by the Ordinance.Psal. 133. ult.Ps 133 There, saith he, God commandeth his blessing, life for evermore; mercy, for ever comforting; and light, for ever teaching; and humbling, for ever continuing: and a man will never think he doth receive any good till he doth it. For if a man be healed of his blindnesse, and be blind presently again; what is he the better? So, if a man hath some flash of light in the Ordinance, blesse the Lord for it. The Lord quickens up the heart to walk with the Lord, Blessed be the Lord for it: Ay, p. 44but when the heart now shall lose that life, and strength which it had, (not but that a Christian do's lose to his feeling, but it will return again.) When he is a hearing, some affection, but he goes away dead as hee came: no, but when the Lord comes by his everlasting power and mercy, and life in any Ordinance; now Christ comes in his power, and now ye receive the King in his power, and Christ attains his end in the Ordinance. This is all that I would say, I do beseech you brethren, in the Lord Jesus Christ: Oh seek for this blessed life, everlasting life Lord, everlasting power Lord; beg for that, and seek for that, and pray for that, and weep for that; do not content thy self with sippings and tastings, look for everlasting life and power to come with the Ordinance; though means be weak in themselves, do not therefore vilifie them: Look upon the brazen serpent, what a poor thing was that to heal the people that were stung? yet the institution of Christ did put vertue into it: So do thou attend on the Ordinances, and never be content, till thou dost find the Lord, and feel the Lord, and say as some have said; though I feel not the Lord now as I have done, yet I think I shall for ever blesse the Lord. Never be content till ye find the Lord bringing your heart to this passe, and then the King of glory, the Prince of peace is come; though ye find not the same power at all times, yet if ye finde that power which do's inure your heart for ever to blesse the Lord, here is everlasting power. Jesus is now come to thy soul; Ay, but when ye content your selves with some movings and beginnings; and sin and Satan as strong again as ever, and ye find not your sin wasting and consuming; in truth the Lord Jesus is cast off, and ye have not the end for which ye come to the Ordinances of the Lord. But then, ye are blessed for ever when ye find this.

22. There is a derivative power of Christ to the Church, joyntly considered together. Mat. 18. 17. Go and tell the Church, is the highest tribunal Christ hath on earth in the Kingdome of Saints. 'Tis Christs high Court of Parliament, beyond which there is no appeal to any higher power than the Church; and it cannot be meant of the Officers of the Church (which is the fairest interpretation.) For the case may be that there is but one Officer, and is he the Church? as also that he may sin, and not p. 45hear of his sin, and must they leave him to himself, at least to judge of his sin? They power of Keys was given to Peter, quia fidelis, and the power to bind and loose to two or three gathered together in Christs name, Mat. 18. but these things are known.

For the clearing up of this, know that there is a three-fold derivative power, which the Lord hath given to the Church joyntly, and not to Elders only: Which may be miserably abused, and so provoke the Lord to take it away from their hands till they know better how to use it; yet when 'tis used according to Christ, now not to be under the power of it, which is Christ, power delegated to it, is to cast off Christs Government. And I am confident, the bondage of all the Churches in Christendome, if ye examine the Churches, is continued, because the Lord sees hearts unwilling to submit to him in the government of Churches; and will continue it till Churches know how to use it, and men lye down to the power of it.

1. They have a power given them from Christ, of 1opening and shutting the doors of the Church, the Kingdome of God on earth: i. e. of letting in, and keeping out any according to Christ; into, or out of their communion: and this I conceive to be one part of the power of the Keys, committed to the Church: The chief office of which, is to open and shut; to receive in, and keep out according to Christ; and hence the three thousand were added to the Church, though the Apostles were guides therein: and Acts 9. 26. Paul would have joyned himself, but they would not accept of him; because, they were afraid of him. No body naturall or politick, but they have power to receive to them the usefull, & keep from them the hurtfull; so, much more Christs spirituall body. And hence, the Church of Ephesus is commended, Revel. 2. 2. together with their Angel, for trying those that seemed good, and were not.

Now 'tis true, this power may be miserably abused in opening doores too wide, or locking them up too long, or too fast; and in many sad disorders this way, yet there is this power. Now when men shall refuse Church-tryall, and so communion with the Church; and that not from sense of their unfitnesse and unworthinesse, or some other reason, which is in the fight of p. 46God of great weight; but from a carelesse contempt of Gods Ordinances, or Gods people; a man sayes, What care I for the one? and what are the other? and from a resolution never to grow better; they know they are not like to be accepted of them, and they are resolved they will grow no better; they think themselves as good as they, and from a secret unwillingnesse to come to the light, they know things are amisse, and will not be known of it; they appear better than they are, and hence they are loath to be seen and jodged as they are: Certainly, this is to casts Christs power; and if continued in, the salvation of your soules is also cast off: Acts 2. ult. The Lord added to the Church daily, such as should be saved. To the Church. i. e. not the universal Church, but visible Church, where it may be had; such as should be saved. Isa. 60. 14, 15. For the Nation and Kingdome that will not serve thee, shall perish; yea, those Nations shall utterly perish: Lamentable is the condition of many; not so much for not joyning themselves to the Church, as not seeking of the Lord for that mercy; that they may be first joyned to the Lord, and so to his people for the Lords sake.

There are great heaps of people amongst the Churches here that do stand guilty of this, the Lord humble us for it; that content themselves to stand Aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel, Eph. 2. 12. Strangers from the Covenant of Promise; having no hope, and without God in the world. The Lord is slow to wrath; but there is a threefold bondage. 1. Of sin and Satan. Rev. 22. 14, 15. Let him that is filthy, be filthy still; Nay, though there be some beginnings, yet apt to fall back; because, not planted in the courts of the Lord. And hence, Col. 2. 5. Ioying, and beholding your order, and the sted fastnesse of your faith in Christ, order and stedfastnesse are joyned together. 2. Of misery, Zach. 14. 17. And it shall be, that whosoever will not come up of all the families of the Earth unto Jerusalem, to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts; even upon them shall be no rain. 3. Sadnesse, hence, Isa. 56. 7. Even them I will bring to my holy Mountain, and make them joyfull in my House of Prayer. To be joyfull in the house of Prayer, is promised to such as joyn themselves to Gods Covenant.

22. They have a power given them of binding and loosing; By admonition of any one, that being received in, shall sin against their communion, and the Lord in it; thereby to defile the whole body, and to provoke the p. 47wrath of the Lord against the same; and this is mentioned, Matth. 18. and by the Apostle, 1 Cor. 5. 1, 4. and this is given to them, to use against whatever sinner or offender it be; be he great or small, Prince or Peer; if he be a brother, he is to lye down here: An admonition is an arrest and message from God, from Christ Jesus the King of Kings; Eglon must come down from his throne, when this is brought.

Now I grant again, this power may be abused miserably; as to admonish without conviction, or without compassion and love, but in heat and passion, &c. Yet this is part of Christs binding power in his Church; which when 'tis done, 'tis bound in heaven.

Now when men come to that passe, that they do not only sin (for that the Lord pardons) but are grown to that height, that they cast off all reproofs, and Christlike admonitions for sin: steept it may be in many tears and prayers before they came, and sweetned with the Spirit of mercy and terror of Christ Jesus in the mouths of his servants, this brings under bondage. 'Tis not sin so much, for this will be; but when they cannot abide reproofs, they are iron morsels, cannot be digested; and hence, sometime hide it, and twenty shifts, and half as many lies; or if it be found out, defend it, and fall a fencing and thrusting, and try it out to the last, or extenuate it twenty wayes, that a beam is a more; and which is worse, their hearts rise and swell, and they bear a privy grudge against them, as if they were their enemies, because they tell them the truth; when they should say; Let the righteous smite me. Exod. 2. 14. Who made thee a Prince and Iudge over us? When Moses, the Israelites deliverer was raised up, he thereupon departs, and they lye under heavy bondage, when they cast off his reproof. It's true, a Saint may not for a time submit; but yet it argues a height of spirit for the present, unfit for communion with God, and the Lord will bring them off, and humble them for their pride. 2 Sam. 23. 6. …. But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns … cause they cannot be taken with hands.

A childe of God may have many … many excellencies▪ … when they come to be … now they yield there, and that as … shall either … p. 48question their grace. Snakes will not hisse nor sting, till touched; a sheep will be led to the slaughter, and turn the cheek to him that smites: So should one poor brother do to another, when he comes to him in the name of the Lord; but not many that will so do, but resist and oppose against all reason.

33. They have a power of Communication of good one to another, in way of edification, according to their places in this their communion: So that now, 'tis not only left in the hands of the Officers, but of the whole Church, and each Member in the Church; according to his place and ability, to edifie the whole, Eph. 4. 16. From whom the whole body, fitly joyned and compacted together, by that which every joynt supplyeth, according to the effectuall working in the measure of every part, making increase of the body, unto the edifying it self in love.

Members are not to stand like beautifull pictures in Church-windows, and as costly Images in Churches; that have eyes, and see not, eares, and hear not; but they are to be living stones in Gods building; not only to build up themselves, but one another also, that so a man may not only get no hurt from communion of Churches, but he may get good indeed from the same. And if I mistake not, here is the wound of Churches: When Members seek not, and indeavour not the good one of another; and so have Ordinances and means of doing one another good, but exercise them not; or if they do, receive not the good they might hereby; but may say, and shall say at last as he, Prov. 5. 14. I was almost in all evill in the midst of the Congregation: Sin prevailing, and sorrows by little and little, like water in a leaking ship, sinking the poor bark.

Quest. Quest.What are those means that are left to the Saints themselves, even private Members to exercise in Christian communion for men and women; and so you may see when these are neglected, or not improved, the power of Christ in his Church is cast off so far forth?

Answ. 1.Answ. The first is, a Spirit of dear Christ-like love one to another, every one to all, and all to that again; being ready to expresse it self, in procuring the good of others as well as its own: This doth sweeten communion very much, and edifies, quickens, and encourageth a Christian in his whole course marvelously. Eph. 4. 16. Making increase of the body, unto the edifying it self in love. p. 49Love edifieth, 1 Cor. 8. 1. Knowledge puffeth up, but Charity edifieth. It's the joy of the Saints, and that which makes the Saints to blesse God in heaven; where, take any one singly, all joyntly besides honour it, tender it, and seek the good of it; and that one blesseth God, and seeks their good more than its own again; and this is prophesied, Zeph. 3. 9. That they may call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one …sent, to serve the Lord with one shoulder; to help one another spiritually and outwardly, where there be many griefs and burdens which depresse the spirits, and make it unserviceable, is removed: As, what is there that doth alienate the hearts of men more from God and his Church, but want of love? Now when mens love grows cold, that a godly man is not esteemed whiles he lives, nor his death lamented so much as the losse of a swine. When people grow strange one to another, and take distastes and prejudices; when they can sit by the fire-side, and censure, and whisper; and make offences, and take offences; and minds divide, and hearts divide; that if you ask what such a one is good for? the answer is; he is good for himself, and good to breed brawles, and divide a Church; A Kingdome divided against it self, cannot stand; & therfore hereby you cast off this Kingdom. Oh, Christians should pray for this, and mourn for want of this; and study peace, & follow it: It should be death to differ, or side, or make a party, one against another.

2. Earnest prayer for the Church, & all in it besides thy self: and that with striving with God, till an answer is given:Acts 5. 12.Acts 5:12 Stretcht-out prayers, as they made for Peer. James 5. 16. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for ather, that you may be healed. And so Iude 20. But ye beloved, building up your selves in your most holy saith, praying in the holy Ghost. This is a meanes to edifie one another, when there is inlargednesse of heart to pray one for another; Psalme 122. 8. For my bret… sake, I'le wish thy peace. Sometimes a Christian can do others little good; yet he will wrastle for him in his prayers to God: One knowes not the good comes here…; if withall a man keeps a good Conscience, making conscience of his wayes. And 'tis one of the greatest priviledges that a man hath, when once he hath a share in all the prayers of the Saints as his own; and p. 50it answers that Quere, What is a Christian the better for the liberties of the Church? Matth. 18. 19. Again, I say unto you; that if two of you shall agree on earth, as touching any thing they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. v. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midd'st of them.

Now when people are false herein to their brethren, and to their Covenant; to their God, and to their own soules; (for there is no one prayer thou makest that shall be lost; but if it attain not a blessing for others, it shall return again into thy bosome.) When there shall be no heart to spend prayer, or shed tears for them, whom Christ hath shed his blood for; now, you cast off the Kingdome of Christ.

Oh Brethren, consider of it, when there shall be many a soul in a Church taken by Satans temptations, and held in temptations, and ready to be overcome by temptations; and it may bee, would not be so, but because thou dost not pray; publick Ordinances, the ministery of the word, little good done thereby; because thou hast no heart to pray. Acts 4. 31. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were met together; and they were all filled with the holy Ghost. This is the reason, the hearts of thy children, servants, and fellow-brethren remain secure and unshaken by all the Sermons they hear; nothing doth them good, nothing will pierce or penetrate their adamant-like hearts; because, thou hast no heart to pray for them, or at least, not to purpose.

33. Timely Exhortation; when brethren are dead-hearted, and heartlesse in their Christian course. Heb. 3. 12, 13. Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another whiles it is called to day, lest any of you be hardned through the deceitfulnesse of sin. Brotherly exhortation is a remedy against Apostasie of heart; for though a man cannot convince another, yet he may exhort him; and 'tis to be done in season, whiles it's called to day, with due respect, and taking notice of what good there is, with much wisdome, and a spirit of humility, or else thou spoilest all thou medlest withall; putting your selves in their estate, and with hearty unfeigned prayer, that the Lord would accompany the same with his blessing. Heb. 10. 24. Consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works. Look over the Congregation, and consider p. 51such a Brothers or Sisters estate; one is poor and low, another falling, another very much altered: Now in some cases, a private Brother may do more than a Minister; the Lord help us, and stir us up to this work: Now when this is neglected, many soules are hardned.

4. Instructing and teaching one another, as occasion 4serves; Rom. 15. 14. And I my self also am perswaded of you my brethren, that you also are full of goodnesse, filled with all knowledge, able to admonish one another. They were able for to instruct and teach one another. Isa. 54. 13. They shall be all taught of God. What God teacheth thee, that do thou teach others; what thou gainest by hearing, or by praying, or meditation; by putting questions to others, sometimes to teach, and sometimes to be taught; and this do, if possible, in all occasionall meetings, and worldly discourses; mix with it some sweet truth that God hath taught thee. But now on the other side, when Christians shall meet, and a … is the worse for their fruitlesse discourse, no savo… of any thing of God; Let them meet never so long or o…en, walking or sitting, this is sad.

5. In Comforting those that be sad; Thes. 5. 14. and 54. ult. Comfort the feeble-minded, and support the weak; wherefore, comfort one another with these wo…s. There are many sad hearts in Gods Church, and sad things are as wounds to a mans limbs, that make him halt or fall. Oh brethren, be much in this work, 2 Cor. 1. 4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God. That a soul may say, such a one came to me, and spake some few words to me; but they were as seasonable, as though the Lord had sent an Angel from heaven to speak to me, and of more worth, than if he had given me …any pounds: But now, when this also is neglected, that one Christian hath not a word of encouragement to another, but dry and savourless discourse; this the Lord takes very ill at the hands of his people, that have received comfort from himself in the day of their sorrow and distresse.

6. Restoring a Brother fallen with a spirit of meekness; 6Gal. 6. 1, 2. Brethren, of any be overtaken with a fault, ye which are sprituall, restore such a one with a spirit of meeknesse. Oh, how will a poor soul blesse the for such a Brothers prayers, admonitions, and exhortations, when p. 52the Lord shall have brought his heart back again to himself; although before he did most of all disesteem and vil…fie him.

Now, when these are not used, or not with a spirit of meeknesse improved, that a man never blesseth God for these; the Lord Jesus is pulled down from his throne, when not done according to the ability, time and place that the Lord affords. And this I wish, the Churches mourn not for another day: For my own part, I do adjudge my self before God and men, as most guilty of this, that I enjoy many sweet Ordinances, and we improve them not; and hence, the glory of the Lord fils not his Tabernacle, abides not on his Churches, either to draw others to them, or to make others abundantly blesse God for them.

Now here I will shew you the causes of this.

11. Not gaining much in private duties, in Prayer, Meditation, Reading, and daily Examination of a mans own heart: And hence they cannot do good, because they receive none, or very little themselves; they have not a treasure within, hence they can spend little, have no heart or ability to exhort, instruct, comfort: He that keeps not his shop, his shop will never keep him. As Psal 41. 6. His heart gathereth iniquity to it self, when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

22. A low spirit, which makes a man to have low thoughts, and endeavours, I mean not an humble, but a narrow spirit, not inlarged to hold much, or to do much, hence it doth little. As take a plain Countreyman, he neither seeks or regards the affaires of the State in publick, because his spirit and condition is low; but Princes do mind and attend to the affaires of the Kingdome, to advance it; because their condition is high, and they know it. Moses, he suffered reproach with the people of God, losse of all the honour and pleasure of Phara…hs out; feared not Pharaoh, nor losse of life for their sakes: For, he saw that God which is invisible; like Saul, when once a Ringdome comes to be in his eye, he leaves off to seek the Asses.

33. Sloth. There are Thornes, Prov. 15. 19. and Lions, Prov. 26. 13. in a sluggards way: There be many difficulties, businesses, occasions, and objections; when as if once he were resolved to break thorough them, then the work would go on: Like a man, when he is in his p. 53warm bed, he is loth to rise; but when he is up, he would not be in his bed again, if he might be hired again to put off his clothes: I shall get no good; saith one, nor do none, saith another; and when these businesses are past, and occasions over; and at another time, I will seek God, and go about Gods work; and thus a slothfull spirit hinders.

4. Want of Faith. 2 Cor. 4. 13. We believe, and 4hence we speak. Faith empties us most, and hence fils us with Spirit and Life of Christ Jesus; hence Steven, full of faith, and the holy Ghost. A lively Christian, when he comes in another Christians company, it may be he knows not what to speak; but he looks up to Christ, and sayes; Now Lord, here is an opportunity in doing or receiving some good; and therefore now Lord help.

5. Want of fear of God, and consolation of the spirit of God▪ from the sense of Gods love. Acts 9. 31. They 5wal… … the fear of the Lord, and consolations of th… Holy Ghost: the Church was edified by the consolations of the Holy Ghost. A man that's wounded, keeps within, and stirs not; but when he is in health and strength, now hard work is his meat, he cannot live except he work. 1 Cor. 15. ult.

6. Not considering the shortnesse of our time of sowing. 6Heb. 10. 25. Whereas, if men were on their death-bed, they would wish, Oh, that I had walked more blamelesly, and fruitfully; men care not for a comfortable reckoning as yet.

There are two causes why they receive no good.

1. From a mean esteem of the Saints; looking on them 1as men, and not as an Ordinance of Christ; their persons, prayers, and speeches. And this is a rule; Men never gain any good by that Ordinance which they despise: if all were Scholars, Ministers, or Saints glorified, they could then esteem them. Hence, Eph 4. 16. Edifying is by love; Making increase of the body, edifying it self in love.

2. From want of being poor in spirit, and sensible of 2their extream need of Christ, continually in all means: Beggers will pick up crums, and watch for a word of encouragement. Isa. 11. 6. A little childe shall lead the Wolf and the Lion; that is, when the Lord hath humbled the heart of a man. Oh, when a Christian p. 54thinks none so poor and shallow, and heartlesse as I, and every one is better than I, however I need more than any: This soul will be glad to suck the brest; and the Lord will fill others with light and life, and his own bowels, to do such a one good. Whereas, else they are shut up, and they find no good conveyed to them by any of the Ordinances of the Lord, nor any presence of God in them.

33. There is a Ministeriall power, committed from Christ by the Church to the ruling Officers thereof. I say, by the Church, for all power in the Church, is properly Christs, yet he nextly communicates it ordinarily to his Church, or multitude of Beleevers, to whom is committed the supreme power of the Keyes in his word, and a binding and loosing, as hath been shewen; and by this Church, this power hath been by Christs appointment, and still is, to be communicated to those that are chosen out of themselves, to be Officers and Rulers over them in the Lord, to exercise the power of Christ over them according to his will. Hence the very power of binding and loosing, opening and shutting, given to the Church, is also given to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, and the successors of Christs Apostles in Doctrine, sent of Christ, Iohn 20. 23. Whosoevers sins ye remit, they are remitted; &c. Because, though the power of Communication of it is in the Churches hand, yet the power of usuall administration of it is in their hand; whiles they exercise it according to Christ, yet by the Church. And hence Paul puts a difference between this extraordinary Ministery, as Apos…leship, and ordinary. Gal. 1. 1. An Apostle not of men, not by the will of men, but by Christ; for the Church, not by it: Now this I say, is by the Church from Christ. Hence, Acts 20. 28. The holy Ghost haoh made them overseers; so that 'tis no invention of man, or act of man, or the power of man; but of Christ, and hence refuse to be under this power; men cast off the yoke and power of Christ Jesus.

For though the estate of the Church be Democraticall and Popular; and hence no publick administrations or Ordinances are to be administrated publickly, without notice and consent of the Church; Yet the government of it under Christ, the Mediator and Monarch of his Church; tis Aristocraticall, and by some chief, gifted by Christ, chosen by the people to rule them in the name of p. 55Christ, who are unable, and unfit to be all Rulers themselves; and to cast off these, or not to be ruled by these; is to cast off Christ. Luke 10. 16. He that rejecteth you, rejecteth me. Numb. 16. 3. You are gathered together against the Lord; The Lord accounts himself opposed and resisted, when the Officers of his Church are slighted, and their government despised.

Quest. Quest.What is this power?

Answ. 1.Answ. 1. Negatively: 1. It is not any Lordly pompous power, to bear the bell of great smoakie titles, to govern in worldly pomp; or by worldly rewards, and civill punishments. 2 Cor. 10. 4. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds. It shall not be so with you, saith Christ; but as I have been without all worldly s…ate, so must you be one to another. And hence, 1 Peter 5. 4. Not being Lords over Gods heritage: Christ never gave his Ministers power of opening and shutting the doors of New-gate, and Bonners Cole-house if they would not sub…ibe, or to confute mens opinions with their own lawes, and bind consciences with chaines of Iron, or to promote his servants by spirituall livings. Christ himself refused to be a Judge in civill causes; hence some of our Divines, when they would grant that Peter was Christs successor, and the Bishop of Rome Peters and Christs Vicar; yet as Christ being on earth, exercised no civill power, so much less may these.

2. 'Tis not any Antichristian illimated power, viz. to 2have power over many Churches (for thats the main spiritual Antichristian externall power) and the Ministers thereof; for we read in Scripture of many Elders and Bishops in the same Church, Acts 20. 28. but never of any one ordinary Minister, or Officer over many Churches; either to govern, or to baptize, as the Anabaptists would among them, as many godly plead for now in the misty confusion of England. And look as we cry out of one Minister non-resident, that shall have six or ten livings, though he give never so good a stipend; not only because of his pride and covetousnesse, but because of his unconscionablenesse, &c. So here much more of one man Overseer over many congregations, it may be an hundred at least.

3. 'Tis not any Magisterial power, Diotrephes-like; either 3to do what they will, Mat. 23. 8. and their wills to be their law; No, Matth. 28. 20, Teach, all that I command p. 56you: If they do sin, their persons are under the censure of the Church, in case of manifest offence and scandall by the mouthes of two or three witnesses who being Members of the whole Church, and under it, and being sinfull Members; may, if the case need it, be proceeded against by the whole. Neither have they any power to act any publick Ordinance which concerns the whole Church, and where 'tis bound by Christ to judge, without the privity and consent of the Church, as to elect Officers, admit Members, cast out offenders in the Vestry without the knowledge of the Church, one of the blaines of the reformed Churches, which the Apostles with their extraordinary power never did themselves, much le…e should these. 1 Cor. 5.

44. They have no immediate power of rule immediately given by Christ, over any one particular Church, but mediate by that Church where they are; their gifts of teaching and ruling are immediately from Christ; but their actuall power to exercise it over this or that particular Congregation, is by that Church only. Hence Deacons that were only to take care for the outward estate of the Church. Act 6. 3, 4. they were ordained by lifting up their hands. This is Apostolicall power, and an intrusion, and cuts asunder the force of the argument of Master Ball his Book of power for Presbytery, &c.

22. What is their power affirmatively?

Answ. 1. They have a power given them of ruling and governing from Christ by the people; hence they are called Rulers, and such as rule, and are over Gods Church; hence they have strict charge and command from the Lord to do it. Hence Paul at Ephesus, When he was with them three years, yet had Rulers there; and vers. 28. Feed Gods stock bought by bloud; over which, not men, but the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers; Christs Church being like sheep, apt to stray and perish, unlesse these watch against wolves, and these the Apostle at his last parting left; hence also, they are to give an account of it at the last day. Heb. 13. Hence th…se cast off the Lords government over them, who will have no Rulers or Governours in Churches, who shall either speak it or think it, but leave all to themselves and their liberty; to teach, baptize, to order things in Church, and so by this p. 57means they are not only single Members or Officers; but Pastor, and Teacher, and Elder and all. This generation of men, sons of Korah▪ are risen up in these latter times; especially amongst Ana…aptists, Familists, and rigid Separatists, and who are privily crept into New-England Churches; Whose condemnation sleeps not, Satan carrying them to extreams, and pride lifting them up above themselves, above Men, above Officers, above Ordinances, and above God. That look as Common-wealths are under greatest bondage, where there is an Anarchy, where every one must be a slave, because every one must be a Master; So in the Churches, no greater bondage can come than this, the foundation of all confusion, and the scand…ll of the wayes of God which through mercy his people here enjoy.

2. This power is more than any one private Member 2hath in the Church, who is not an Officer; it would be a most simple ridiculous thing, if there should be Election, Ordination, many Prayers, much triall of men, for to rule, and guide, and govern, separation from the rest, and yet not to have any more power than one private Member. Hence the Apostle sayes, Submit to them that are over you, 1 Thessalonians 5. 12. and Hebrews 13. 17. Obey them …at guide you, or rule over you. Hence those that do acknowledge Governours in the Church for names sake, but they are such as have no more power than a private Brother; they do but allow the name, but deny the thing: Hence say they, they are to watch; so are private Members: they are to admonish; so is every private Member: they are to rule; the word signifies to guide and go before another.

Answ. 1.Answ. 1. The word to rule, 1 Thes. 5. 12. is the same word with 1. Tim. 3. 4, 5. He that rules his own house, which is a little more than they that are besides him in the Family; though this be not such a paternall power, yet it is somewhat more than that of private Members. And that Heb. 13. 17. is a word which is the same with that in Matth. 2. 6. Governour, particularly spoken of Christs government, to feed otherwise than private Members.